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Ford Kuga years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

312,026 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2008–2023 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Ford Kuga years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2011–2012. Above it: 2008 and 2013–2023. The other 2 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

79.4%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 79.3% to 79.6%.

In 2025, 79.4% of the 312,026 initial MOT tests on Ford Kuga cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 77.0%. That is 2.4 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Kuga

Its own MOT history, free.

Ford Kuga MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2023age 21,37919,70093.3%±1.5+1.7 ptsall: 91.6%
2022age 326,46224,30091.9%±0.4+3.4 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 420,53533,00089.1%±0.5+1.9 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 515,48937,20086.6%±0.6+0.6 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 640,61343,60084.4%±0.4+0.9 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 738,32052,60084.1%±0.4+3.2 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 836,65362,40083.0%±0.4+4.8 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 933,09371,00078.0%±0.5+3.1 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 1030,44279,60074.2%±0.5+2.3 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 1122,24687,70071.6%±0.6+3.0 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 1212,32796,80070.3%±0.9+4.5 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 138,966105,60062.0%±1.1−1.5 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 148,427113,60059.0%±1.1−2.2 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 158,560120,70058.6%±1.1−0.7 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 166,381125,60059.4%±1.3+1.1 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 172,133130,10060.2%±2.1+3.0 ptsall: 57.2%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common Kuga problems at the MOT

Share of the 64,180 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Kuga

Based on the areas where Ford Kuga MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 36.2% of failed Kuga tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Tyres

    In 29.4% of failed Kuga tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

  3. Brakes

    In 22.2% of failed Kuga tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  4. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 17.7% of failed Kuga tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Kuga's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Ford Kuga cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Ford Kuga cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.9% failed on tyres, against 5.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 40,900 and 132,451 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 10.3% of those with a tyre advisory and 9.8% of the others.

Brakes

Of Ford Kuga cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.8% failed on brakes, against 3.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 30,481 and 142,834 cars.

  • With a brake advisory7.8%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 10.6% of those with a brake advisory and 9.8% of the others.

Suspension

Of Ford Kuga cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.3% failed on suspension, against 4.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 13,485 and 159,222 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory7.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 12.0% of those with a suspension advisory and 9.8% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out

Ford Kuga questions

Which Ford Kuga years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2011–2012. Above average: 2008 and 2013–2023. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Ford Kuga reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 79.4% of initial MOT tests on Ford Kuga cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 77.0%. That is 2.4 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Ford Kuga problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 36.2% of failed tests), tyres (in 29.4% of failed tests) and brakes (in 22.2% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Ford Kuga?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Ford Kuga cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 79,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Kuga's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Ford Kuga

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Ford models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 25 Ford modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Ford Kuga cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count